Allods

Allods Online is a free to play fantasy MMORPG that fans of the genre’s most successful titles can enjoy. It features extensive questing, intense player-versus-player combat, grand exploration, in-depth character development and plenty of social interaction. In the Astral, players will have the chance to put their wits and brawn to the test in larger-than-life Astral battles, the game’s giant fights between competing ‘Astral ships’ manned by multiple players. Adventurers from all over the world will have to choose between six races and eight character classes before choosing their allegiance between the two warring factions: the League and the Empire.

Status: Open Beta

Official Site: http://allods.gpotato.eu (EU) or http://allods.gpotato.com (US)

Allods Online is free full blown MMORPG set in a fantasy space opera universe with player-built and player-controlled space battleships, creating a new dimension of co-operative game play. Join one of the 2 factions at war in the deep storyline by choosing from one of the 28 classes available. Customise your character and pet via the rich creation system and level up by completing over 1500 quests at launch and confronting over 300 unique creatures. Explore and fight your way in dungeons, castles and temples as a raid or as a group. Allods Online features Faction vs Faction, Players vs Environment, and Ship vs Ship mechanisms. Be ready to explore the Astral space on board of your own ship, and if piracy sounds like the life for you, it can be!

Allods Online features two warring factions, six races, 28 classes, ship vs ship Astral space battles, mini-games-based crafting systems, PvP, PvE, guilds, 6v6 Goblinoball and many other elements. Players who reach level 35 will be able to start building their own massive Astral spaceship. They can then explore the deep and dynamic Astral environment in search of treasure, adventure and new territory, or engage in massive Astral battles featuring dozens of ships, each controlled by a crew of players. With a deep storyline covering thousands of years of in-game history, and over 1,500 quests at release, Allods Online has all the depth to compete with the best subscription MMORPGs on the markets, without any subscription, ever!

Runes of Magic

Runes of Magic is a fantasy MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) without monthly costs and free to download. Dive into Taborea, a magical world full of wonders and ancient mysteries. Meet mythical and dangerous creatures and solve the puzzle of the long perished kingdoms. With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic is redefining the standard for free-to-play titles. Runes of Magic conveys an absorbing story through more than 1,600 quests in an exciting and dangerous fantasy world. Players can choose between six main classes and combined with a secondary class, choose to create a character from 30 character class combinations. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts including war horses. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the ability to decorate their own virtual homes with individual furnishings. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP, as well as demanding dungeons and boss monsters, Runes of Magic has something for everyone. It is up to you, to discover Taborea and to write the history of that world!

Status: Final

Official Website: http://us.runesofmagic.com (US) http://www.runesofmagic.com (EU)

Six classes stand ready to face the challenges of Taborea. Brave warriors, skillful scouts, agile rogues, wise magicians, noble knights and holy clerics investigate myths and legends in the shadows of ancient rune magic. In later stages of game-play every class can learn a second class.

• Free-to-play: no monthly fees, free download
• Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
• Versatile spell- and attack-combinations
• Enthralling background story
• More than 1,600 quests and quest series
• No zone boundaries thanks to seamless architecture
• Dungeons: Instanced and tile based as well as persistent
• Individually developable skills and spells
• Armor sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system with hundreds of runes for upgrading
• Optional PvP system with arena battles and guild wars
• Ranking system with player-ranking lists
• Multitude of unique mounts
• Epic crafting system with the chance to improve existing items
• Personalization of player houses through individual furnishing
• Reputation system
• Customizable user interface with the option to use Add-Ons
• Map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
• In-game auction houses for trading items
• Teleport-Runes for instant travel
• Mouse and keyboard controls for movement
• Regular updates with new content
• Guild castles in special zones
• Cross-server fights in three-server-battle in development

System Requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 512MB or more
HDD: 3.62GB
DirectX 9.0c compatible with 128MB RAM Video Card

New Yorkers told to 'pull their pants up'

A "Stop the Sag!" billboard is seen on the side of a building in Brooklyn

Eric Adams, a state senator from Brooklyn, is behind the $2,000 'Stop The Sag' advertising campaign showing two men in jeans that hang low enough to display their underwear.
Mr Adams is calling for the end of the trend that has become popular in men's fashion. In an online message posted on YouTube, he said: "You can raise your level of respect if you raise your pants", while pleading to young people not to "surrender control over your own image". The politician, a retired police captain, is the latest to speak out on the trend. He follows Larry Platt, an American Idol performer who became an internet sensation earlier this year with his song "Pants on the Ground". Even Barack Obama has previously said: "Some people might not want to see your underwear. I'm one of them."
The campaign in New York follows a similar one in Dallas, where officials embarked on a 'Pull Your Pants Up' campaign in 2007. Mr Adams said he had had enough after watching a train passenger who wore a particularly low-slung pair of trousers. "Everyone on the train was looking at him and shaking their heads," he said. "And no one said anything to correct it."
The low-slung trousers trend is adapted from the unbelted and sometimes oversized look of prison uniforms, according to Mark-Evan Blackman of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. The style has spread from inner cities to suburban shopping centres and school classrooms.


Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Eric Adams has used various means of advertising to get his message across.
b) Mr. Adams used to be a policeman.
c) Mr. Adams appeared on a TV show called American Idol.
d) This is not the first time that this kind of clothing has been criticized.

Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Why did Mr Adams decide to start this campaign?
b) How did this fashion start?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) show (Paragraph 1)
b give up (Paragraph 2)
c) start (Paragraph 3)

Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Mr Adams wrote: “You can raise your level of respect if you raise your pants.”
Mr Adams wrote that …
b) Everyone on the train was looking at the passenger but no one told him to pull up his trousers.
The passenger ………………..
c) Officials in Dallas embarked on a “Pull up Your Pants” campaign in 2007. That’s why there is one in New York.
If officials in Dallas hadn’t …………..

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
“Everyone should have the right to dress the way they want.” Do you agree?

New Yorkers told to 'pull their pants up'

A "Stop the Sag!" billboard is seen on the side of a building in Brooklyn

Eric Adams, a state senator from Brooklyn, is behind the $2,000 'Stop The Sag' advertising campaign showing two men in jeans that hang low enough to display their underwear.
Mr Adams is calling for the end of the trend that has become popular in men's fashion. In an online message posted on YouTube, he said: "You can raise your level of respect if you raise your pants", while pleading to young people not to "surrender control over your own image". The politician, a retired police captain, is the latest to speak out on the trend. He follows Larry Platt, an American Idol performer who became an internet sensation earlier this year with his song "Pants on the Ground". Even Barack Obama has previously said: "Some people might not want to see your underwear. I'm one of them."
The campaign in New York follows a similar one in Dallas, where officials embarked on a 'Pull Your Pants Up' campaign in 2007. Mr Adams said he had had enough after watching a train passenger who wore a particularly low-slung pair of trousers. "Everyone on the train was looking at him and shaking their heads," he said. "And no one said anything to correct it."
The low-slung trousers trend is adapted from the unbelted and sometimes oversized look of prison uniforms, according to Mark-Evan Blackman of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. The style has spread from inner cities to suburban shopping centres and school classrooms.


Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Eric Adams has used various means of advertising to get his message across.
b) Mr. Adams used to be a policeman.
c) Mr. Adams appeared on a TV show called American Idol.
d) This is not the first time that this kind of clothing has been criticized.

Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Why did Mr Adams decide to start this campaign?
b) How did this fashion start?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) show (Paragraph 1)
b give up (Paragraph 2)
c) start (Paragraph 3)

Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Mr Adams wrote: “You can raise your level of respect if you raise your pants.”
Mr Adams wrote that …
b) Everyone on the train was looking at the passenger but no one told him to pull up his trousers.
The passenger ………………..
c) Officials in Dallas embarked on a “Pull up Your Pants” campaign in 2007. That’s why there is one in New York.
If officials in Dallas hadn’t …………..

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
“Everyone should have the right to dress the way they want.” Do you agree?

New Yorkers told to 'pull their pants up'

Key
Question 1
a) True Eric Adams is behind the $2,000 'Stop The Sag' advertising campaign seen on billboards showing two men in jeans that hang low enough to display their underwear. In an online message posted on YouTube,
b) True The politician, a retired police captain,
c) False Larry Platt, an American Idol performer
d) True The campaign in New York follows a similar one in Dallas, where officials embarked on a 'Pull Your Pants Up' campaign in 2007.

Question 2
a) Mr Adams was travelling on a train. Near him was a man who was wearing a pair of trousers which allowed everybody to see his underwear. The other people on the train showed that they did not agree with the way the man was wearing his trousers but nobody opened their mouth to say anything to him.
b) Prisoners’ trousers often hang down because they do not wear belts. People living in city centres started wearing their trousers in a similar way then school students copied it too.


Question 3
a) display
b surrender
c) embark on

Question 4
a) Mr Adams wrote that you could raise your level of respect if you raised your pants.
b) The passenger was being looked at by everyone on the train but he was not told to pull up his trousers by anyone.
c) If officials in Dallas hadn’t embarked on a “Pull up Your Pants” campaign in 2007, there wouldn’t be one in New York.

New Yorkers told to 'pull their pants up'

Key
Question 1
a) True Eric Adams is behind the $2,000 'Stop The Sag' advertising campaign seen on billboards showing two men in jeans that hang low enough to display their underwear. In an online message posted on YouTube,
b) True The politician, a retired police captain,
c) False Larry Platt, an American Idol performer
d) True The campaign in New York follows a similar one in Dallas, where officials embarked on a 'Pull Your Pants Up' campaign in 2007.

Question 2
a) Mr Adams was travelling on a train. Near him was a man who was wearing a pair of trousers which allowed everybody to see his underwear. The other people on the train showed that they did not agree with the way the man was wearing his trousers but nobody opened their mouth to say anything to him.
b) Prisoners’ trousers often hang down because they do not wear belts. People living in city centres started wearing their trousers in a similar way then school students copied it too.


Question 3
a) display
b surrender
c) embark on

Question 4
a) Mr Adams wrote that you could raise your level of respect if you raised your pants.
b) The passenger was being looked at by everyone on the train but he was not told to pull up his trousers by anyone.
c) If officials in Dallas hadn’t embarked on a “Pull up Your Pants” campaign in 2007, there wouldn’t be one in New York.

How do you sleep?

Look at these six sleeping positions. Which position do you sleep in?
Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, analysed six common sleeping positions and found that each is linked to a particular personality type.
• The Foetus: This is the most common sleeping position. Those who sleep in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but they soon relax.

• Log (15%): Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being popular, and who trust strangers. However, they may be gullible.

• The yearner (13%): People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely to change it.

• Soldier (8%): Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They set themselves and others high standards.

• Freefall (7%): Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. These people don't like criticism, or extreme situations.

• Starfish (5%): Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the centre of attention.

Your sleeping habits
How many hours do you sleep every night?
Do you usually have a siesta?
Do you studying the night before an exam or do you get up early to study on the morning of an exam?
Do you go to sleep with the television/radio/MP3 on?


Take that power nap - you could end up smarter
It may not make you popular with your boss but a snooze in the middle of the day dramatically boosts your brain power. Medical researchers have shown that snoozing for just one hour during the day is enough to increase the brain's ability to learn new facts in the hours that follow.
Many sleep researchers argue that the British habit of trying to stay awake from morning until night is inherently unhealthy. They point to countries such as Spain where most people traditionally go for a post-lunch siesta.
Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task - linking faces with names - intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts. At 2pm, half the group took a 90 minute siesta, while the rest stayed awake. At 6pm, the students were asked to carry out a new round of learning exercises.
Those who had a siesta performed much better than those who remained awake throughout the day. The researchers say sleep is needed to clear the brain's short term memory and make room for new information.
Using ECG tests of the brain's electrical activity the scientists found that this memory-refreshing process takes place in a period between deep sleep and the dreaming state known as REM, or rapid eye movement. The average person spends half their sleeping hours in this transitional sleep period, which is known as Stage 2 non-REM sleep. The same study also found that students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) If you sleep for one hour at some point each day, you will be able to study better later.
b) In Britain, people do not normally sleep during the day.
c) The 39 people who took part in the study all had to learn the same things.
d) Students who study during the night before an exam will improve their marks by 40 per cent.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) What did the 2 groups have to do?
b) How does sleeping help us to remember things?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) improve par.1
b) series par. 3
c) amazing par. 5

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts.
39 healthy students ………………………………..……..intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts..
b) Those who had a siesta performed much better than those who remained awake throughout the day.
Students who remained awake throughout the day ……………………………………. .
c) Students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.
If students ………………………….. in the run up to exams, the brain’s ability to cram in new facts ………………………………………………………………. .

Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
• Nowadays, many people say that we do not look after our bodies properly. Do you agree?

How do you sleep?

Look at these six sleeping positions. Which position do you sleep in?
Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, analysed six common sleeping positions and found that each is linked to a particular personality type.
• The Foetus: This is the most common sleeping position. Those who sleep in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but they soon relax.

• Log (15%): Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being popular, and who trust strangers. However, they may be gullible.

• The yearner (13%): People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely to change it.

• Soldier (8%): Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They set themselves and others high standards.

• Freefall (7%): Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. These people don't like criticism, or extreme situations.

• Starfish (5%): Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the centre of attention.

Your sleeping habits
How many hours do you sleep every night?
Do you usually have a siesta?
Do you studying the night before an exam or do you get up early to study on the morning of an exam?
Do you go to sleep with the television/radio/MP3 on?


Take that power nap - you could end up smarter
It may not make you popular with your boss but a snooze in the middle of the day dramatically boosts your brain power. Medical researchers have shown that snoozing for just one hour during the day is enough to increase the brain's ability to learn new facts in the hours that follow.
Many sleep researchers argue that the British habit of trying to stay awake from morning until night is inherently unhealthy. They point to countries such as Spain where most people traditionally go for a post-lunch siesta.
Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task - linking faces with names - intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts. At 2pm, half the group took a 90 minute siesta, while the rest stayed awake. At 6pm, the students were asked to carry out a new round of learning exercises.
Those who had a siesta performed much better than those who remained awake throughout the day. The researchers say sleep is needed to clear the brain's short term memory and make room for new information.
Using ECG tests of the brain's electrical activity the scientists found that this memory-refreshing process takes place in a period between deep sleep and the dreaming state known as REM, or rapid eye movement. The average person spends half their sleeping hours in this transitional sleep period, which is known as Stage 2 non-REM sleep. The same study also found that students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.

Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text:
a) If you sleep for one hour at some point each day, you will be able to study better later.
b) In Britain, people do not normally sleep during the day.
c) The 39 people who took part in the study all had to learn the same things.
d) Students who study during the night before an exam will improve their marks by 40 per cent.

Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) What did the 2 groups have to do?
b) How does sleeping help us to remember things?

Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) improve par.1
b) series par. 3
c) amazing par. 5

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts.
39 healthy students ………………………………..……..intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts..
b) Those who had a siesta performed much better than those who remained awake throughout the day.
Students who remained awake throughout the day ……………………………………. .
c) Students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.
If students ………………………….. in the run up to exams, the brain’s ability to cram in new facts ………………………………………………………………. .

Question 5 Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
• Nowadays, many people say that we do not look after our bodies properly. Do you agree?

Take that power nap

KEY
Question 1
a) True. Medical researchers have shown that snoozing for just one hour during the day is enough to increase the brain's ability to learn new facts in the hours that follow.
b) True. .. the British habit of trying to stay awake from morning until night …
c) True. Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task ….
d) False. .. students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.

Question 2
a) Both groups had to try and remember which names and faces went together. Then, later, after one of the groups had had a short sleep while the other group had not, they were asked to learn other things.
b) Scientists believe that when we sleep, our brain is able to empty the area of the brain used for short-term memory and that this then means that it is free to learn new information.

Question 3
a) boost
b) round
c) staggering

Question 4
a) 39 healthy students were split into two groups and were asked to carry out a learning task intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts..
b) People who remained awake throughout the day performed much worse than those who had a siesta.
c) If students have all night revision sessions in the run up to exams, the brain’s ability to cram in new facts is reduced by a staggering 40 percent.

Take that power nap

KEY
Question 1
a) True. Medical researchers have shown that snoozing for just one hour during the day is enough to increase the brain's ability to learn new facts in the hours that follow.
b) True. .. the British habit of trying to stay awake from morning until night …
c) True. Researchers split 39 healthy students into two groups and asked them to carry out a learning task ….
d) False. .. students who have all-night revision sessions in the run up to exams, reduce the brain's ability to cram in new facts by a staggering 40 per cent.

Question 2
a) Both groups had to try and remember which names and faces went together. Then, later, after one of the groups had had a short sleep while the other group had not, they were asked to learn other things.
b) Scientists believe that when we sleep, our brain is able to empty the area of the brain used for short-term memory and that this then means that it is free to learn new information.

Question 3
a) boost
b) round
c) staggering

Question 4
a) 39 healthy students were split into two groups and were asked to carry out a learning task intended to tax the region of the brain that helps store facts..
b) People who remained awake throughout the day performed much worse than those who had a siesta.
c) If students have all night revision sessions in the run up to exams, the brain’s ability to cram in new facts is reduced by a staggering 40 percent.

Why playing a musical instrument 'can help children learn with language skills'

If you spent hours learning a musical instrument as a child only to lose interest when you reached your teens, it may not have been a complete waste of time after all, according to a leading expert.
Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education, says neuroscientist Professor Nina Kraus. She points out there is strong evidence to show that music lessons help children improve their language skills. The benefits could help normal children as well as those with developmental problems such as dyslexia and autism, she argues. Prof Kraus has led the first research to demonstrate that playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain's sensitivity to speech sounds. The 16 highly trained musicians tested were better than 15 non-musicians at picking out key elements of speech from background noise.
‘Playing an instrument may help youngsters process speech in noisy classrooms better and more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice,' Prof Klaus told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego, California.
‘Playing music engages the ability to extract relevant patterns, such as the sound of one's own instrument, harmonies and rhythms, from the "soundscape",' said Prof Kraus. ‘Not surprisingly, musicians' nervous systems are more effective at utilising the patterns in music and speech alike.’
Other studies in children and adults over the years have found that merely listening to music doesn't have as much impact on the brain as making music, but there are still benefits. Several studies have shown that listening to music can help alleviate chronic pain and reduce the need for pain medication. Other research has documented that music can help lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in heart-disease patients.

Question 1
Indicate whether the following sentences are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Kraus believes that music should play a major role in the school curriculum.
b) The results of this research were not clear.
c) Learning to play an instrument could benefit students with learning difficulties.
d) Professor Klaus is the Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Question 2
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What skills do musicians develop which appear to help them with learning languages?
b) How have other studies shown that listening to music can be beneficial for health?

Question 3
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) important or successful (Paragraph 1)
b) proof (Paragraph 2)
c) transmit (Paragraph 3)

Question 4
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education, says neuroscientist Professor Nina Kraus.
Professor Klaus claimed that learning …………………….…….. school education.
b) Playing an instrument may help youngsters process speech in noisy classrooms better and more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice.
If youngsters play an instrument, this may help ………..
c) Other studies in children and adults have found that merely listening to music doesn't have as much impact on the brain as making music, but there are still benefits.
Although other studies …………………………………………..

Question 5
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
How important do you think music is?

Why playing a musical instrument 'can help children learn with language skills'

If you spent hours learning a musical instrument as a child only to lose interest when you reached your teens, it may not have been a complete waste of time after all, according to a leading expert.
Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education, says neuroscientist Professor Nina Kraus. She points out there is strong evidence to show that music lessons help children improve their language skills. The benefits could help normal children as well as those with developmental problems such as dyslexia and autism, she argues. Prof Kraus has led the first research to demonstrate that playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain's sensitivity to speech sounds. The 16 highly trained musicians tested were better than 15 non-musicians at picking out key elements of speech from background noise.
‘Playing an instrument may help youngsters process speech in noisy classrooms better and more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice,' Prof Klaus told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego, California.
‘Playing music engages the ability to extract relevant patterns, such as the sound of one's own instrument, harmonies and rhythms, from the "soundscape",' said Prof Kraus. ‘Not surprisingly, musicians' nervous systems are more effective at utilising the patterns in music and speech alike.’
Other studies in children and adults over the years have found that merely listening to music doesn't have as much impact on the brain as making music, but there are still benefits. Several studies have shown that listening to music can help alleviate chronic pain and reduce the need for pain medication. Other research has documented that music can help lower blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in heart-disease patients.

Question 1
Indicate whether the following sentences are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Kraus believes that music should play a major role in the school curriculum.
b) The results of this research were not clear.
c) Learning to play an instrument could benefit students with learning difficulties.
d) Professor Klaus is the Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Question 2
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) What skills do musicians develop which appear to help them with learning languages?
b) How have other studies shown that listening to music can be beneficial for health?

Question 3
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) important or successful (Paragraph 1)
b) proof (Paragraph 2)
c) transmit (Paragraph 3)

Question 4
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education, says neuroscientist Professor Nina Kraus.
Professor Klaus claimed that learning …………………….…….. school education.
b) Playing an instrument may help youngsters process speech in noisy classrooms better and more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice.
If youngsters play an instrument, this may help ………..
c) Other studies in children and adults have found that merely listening to music doesn't have as much impact on the brain as making music, but there are still benefits.
Although other studies …………………………………………..

Question 5
Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
How important do you think music is?

Why playing a musical instrument .......

KEY
Question 1
a) True. Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education.
b) False. .. there is strong evidence to show that music lessons help children improve their language skills. Prof Kraus has led the first research to demonstrate that playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain's sensitivity to speech sounds.
c) True. The benefits could help normal children as well as those with developmental problems such as dyslexia and autism
d) False. Prof Klaus told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego, California.
Question 2
a) It seems that when people learn to play a musical instrument, they develop abilities which permit them to distinguish between and understand different sounds, including aspects of spoken language such as patterns and sounds.
b) Other studies in the past have proved that listening to music can reduce the amount of pain people feel and therefore mean that they have to take fewer pain relief tablets. Scientists have also discovered that cardiology patients who listen to music experience lower blood pressure, heart beat and nervousness.
Question 3
a) leading
b) evidence
c) convey
Question 4
a) Professor Klaus claimed that learning to play an instrument had major advantages for a growing brain and should have been a key part of school education.
b) If youngsters play an instrument, this may help them (to) process speech in noisy classrooms better and also more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice.
c) Although other studies in children and adults have found that merely listening to music doesn’t have as much impact on the brain as making music, there are still benefits.

Why playing a musical instrument .......

KEY
Question 1
a) True. Learning to play an instrument has major advantages for a growing brain and should be a key part of school education.
b) False. .. there is strong evidence to show that music lessons help children improve their language skills. Prof Kraus has led the first research to demonstrate that playing a musical instrument significantly enhances the brain's sensitivity to speech sounds.
c) True. The benefits could help normal children as well as those with developmental problems such as dyslexia and autism
d) False. Prof Klaus told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego, California.
Question 2
a) It seems that when people learn to play a musical instrument, they develop abilities which permit them to distinguish between and understand different sounds, including aspects of spoken language such as patterns and sounds.
b) Other studies in the past have proved that listening to music can reduce the amount of pain people feel and therefore mean that they have to take fewer pain relief tablets. Scientists have also discovered that cardiology patients who listen to music experience lower blood pressure, heart beat and nervousness.
Question 3
a) leading
b) evidence
c) convey
Question 4
a) Professor Klaus claimed that learning to play an instrument had major advantages for a growing brain and should have been a key part of school education.
b) If youngsters play an instrument, this may help them (to) process speech in noisy classrooms better and also more accurately interpret the nuances of language that are conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice.
c) Although other studies in children and adults have found that merely listening to music doesn’t have as much impact on the brain as making music, there are still benefits.

Longest film ever to be screened

KEY

Question 1

1. False.” …..it will premiere in Avignon this month and will also be screened in Paris in January”
2. True. “Gerard Courant, who asked his artistic friends to spend three minutes and 25 seconds each in front of the camera doing as they please .”
3. False. “Marc Price's impressed critics at Cannes this year with his zombie flick “Colin”. He made the film while working full time as a courier.”
4. True. “Conceived by Canadian animator Richard Williams as a milestone in the art of animation...”

Question 2

1. The stars in the film are film maker Courant’s friends, who do whatever they want for about three and a half minutes.
2. All these films break records both of the length they have and the amount of money they cost to make.

Question 3

a) mere
b) features
c) estimated

Question 4

1. “Cinematon” is the longest film in the history of the cinema.
2. Gerard Courant has filmed “Cinematon”
3. People say that “At World’s End” is the most expensive film.

Longest film ever to be screened

KEY

Question 1

1. False.” …..it will premiere in Avignon this month and will also be screened in Paris in January”
2. True. “Gerard Courant, who asked his artistic friends to spend three minutes and 25 seconds each in front of the camera doing as they please .”
3. False. “Marc Price's impressed critics at Cannes this year with his zombie flick “Colin”. He made the film while working full time as a courier.”
4. True. “Conceived by Canadian animator Richard Williams as a milestone in the art of animation...”

Question 2

1. The stars in the film are film maker Courant’s friends, who do whatever they want for about three and a half minutes.
2. All these films break records both of the length they have and the amount of money they cost to make.

Question 3

a) mere
b) features
c) estimated

Question 4

1. “Cinematon” is the longest film in the history of the cinema.
2. Gerard Courant has filmed “Cinematon”
3. People say that “At World’s End” is the most expensive film.

The longest film ever to be screened

If you thought Titanic was a long film, think again. That was a mere trailer in comparison to “Cinematon”, a French film lasting 150 hours that will be screened later this month. Lasting more than six days it will premiere in Avignon this month and will also be screened in Paris in January.
Cinematon has been filmed by Gerard Courant, who asked his artistic friends to spend three minutes and 25 seconds each in front of the camera doing as they please - the result is 150 hours of footage, and Courant hasn’t stopped filming yet. With this mammoth work of art Courant will certainly enter the record books, joining the following films…
Shortest film
The 1 Second Film is a 70mm animated film made by Nirvan Mullick that's just one second long. The film features 12 giant paintings, each created by hundreds of people. Each painting is filmed twice to fill the 24 frames which make up the second of film
Cheapest film
Brit film maker Marc Price's impressed critics at Cannes this year with his zombie flick “Colin”. He made the film while working full time as a courier, and it cost him the only humble sum of £45
Most expensive film
The third Pirates of the Caribbean film “ At World's End” is said to be the most expensive film ever made with an estimated production budget of $300
Longest film in production
”Thief and the Cobbler” began production in1964 and wasn’t completed until 1995, a total of 31 years. Conceived by Canadian animator Richard Williams as a milestone in the art of animation, he worked on the project for 26 years.

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) People in Paris will be the first to watch “Cinematon”
b) The actors in “Cinematon “ have no script to follow.
c) Mark Price surely had plenty of time to make “Colin”.
d) Richard Williams wanted his film to be innovative.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Who are the stars in “Cinematon” and what do they do in the film?
b) What do all the films mentioned in the text have in common?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) simple (par.1) b) stars (par.3) c) calculated (par.5)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) No other film in the history of the cinema is as long as “Cinematon “.
Cinematon is ______________________________________
b) “Cinematon” has been filmed by Gerard Courant.
Gerard Courant ____________________________________
c) “At World´s End” is said to be the most expensive film.
People say _______________________________________

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What kind of films do you like? Why?

Self-Access Group. CEP Santander

The longest film ever to be screened

If you thought Titanic was a long film, think again. That was a mere trailer in comparison to “Cinematon”, a French film lasting 150 hours that will be screened later this month. Lasting more than six days it will premiere in Avignon this month and will also be screened in Paris in January.
Cinematon has been filmed by Gerard Courant, who asked his artistic friends to spend three minutes and 25 seconds each in front of the camera doing as they please - the result is 150 hours of footage, and Courant hasn’t stopped filming yet. With this mammoth work of art Courant will certainly enter the record books, joining the following films…
Shortest film
The 1 Second Film is a 70mm animated film made by Nirvan Mullick that's just one second long. The film features 12 giant paintings, each created by hundreds of people. Each painting is filmed twice to fill the 24 frames which make up the second of film
Cheapest film
Brit film maker Marc Price's impressed critics at Cannes this year with his zombie flick “Colin”. He made the film while working full time as a courier, and it cost him the only humble sum of £45
Most expensive film
The third Pirates of the Caribbean film “ At World's End” is said to be the most expensive film ever made with an estimated production budget of $300
Longest film in production
”Thief and the Cobbler” began production in1964 and wasn’t completed until 1995, a total of 31 years. Conceived by Canadian animator Richard Williams as a milestone in the art of animation, he worked on the project for 26 years.

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) People in Paris will be the first to watch “Cinematon”
b) The actors in “Cinematon “ have no script to follow.
c) Mark Price surely had plenty of time to make “Colin”.
d) Richard Williams wanted his film to be innovative.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Who are the stars in “Cinematon” and what do they do in the film?
b) What do all the films mentioned in the text have in common?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) simple (par.1) b) stars (par.3) c) calculated (par.5)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) No other film in the history of the cinema is as long as “Cinematon “.
Cinematon is ______________________________________
b) “Cinematon” has been filmed by Gerard Courant.
Gerard Courant ____________________________________
c) “At World´s End” is said to be the most expensive film.
People say _______________________________________

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What kind of films do you like? Why?

Self-Access Group. CEP Santander

Computer Parts

Computerparts

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Computer Parts

Computerparts

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Sailing The Atlantic

Seb Clover

Sailing The Atlantic

Seb Clover

The Princess and the Dragon

Put the sentences in order to make the story

a. The next day a friendly dragon saw the princess in the tower.
b. Once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived in a golden castle with their beautiful daughter.
c. The ogre roared at the knights.
d. One night an ugly ogre locked the princess in his tower.
e. The dragon blew the ogre into the ocean.
f. The ogre was so scary they rode away as fast as they could.
g. “Help me, please help me !” she cried.
h. The king and queen gave the dragon a bag of gold and they all lived happily ever after.
i. All the knights in the land rode to the ogre’s tower.
j. Then the dragon took the princess back to the castle.

The Princess and the Dragon

Put the sentences in order to make the story

a. The next day a friendly dragon saw the princess in the tower.
b. Once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived in a golden castle with their beautiful daughter.
c. The ogre roared at the knights.
d. One night an ugly ogre locked the princess in his tower.
e. The dragon blew the ogre into the ocean.
f. The ogre was so scary they rode away as fast as they could.
g. “Help me, please help me !” she cried.
h. The king and queen gave the dragon a bag of gold and they all lived happily ever after.
i. All the knights in the land rode to the ogre’s tower.
j. Then the dragon took the princess back to the castle.

The Story of a Town

Brighton is the largest seaside resort in the south-east of England.
At first the town was a fishing village and did not become popular until about 1800. Rich people began to visit Brighton in large numbers and when King George IV decided to build a house there, it became very fashionable. The King continued to visit it until 1827, but Queen Victoria did not like the house.
It is open to the public every day and there is a special exhibition there in the summer.
Brighton offers all kinds of entertainment, from concerts and plays in the theatre to local attractions like the Aquarium.
The area of old houses known as The Lanes is a very attractive shopping centre, where visitors can buy souvenirs and antiques. The houses were once lived in by fishermen but have now been converted into shops. Not far from The Lanes is a modern shopping centre with licensed restaurants and tables outdoors where you can enjoy a drink in good weather.
Brighton is within easy reach of London and has been a popular day out for Londoners for many years.


Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?
1. Brighton began to be popular when King George IV arrived.
2. The town became popular because it was a fishing village.
3. You can visit King George’s house only in the summer
4. The fishermen’s cottages are shops now.

Choose the correct answer
1. What kind of buildings are in The Lanes?
a. New houses.
b. Old pubs.
c. Modern shops.
d. Converted houses.

2. What does the text say you can do near The Lanes in fine weather?
a. Buy antiques.
b. Buy souvenirs.
c. Go to concerts.
d. Sit outside for lunch.
3. How long do many people from London stay in Brighton?
a. A month.
b. A weekend.
c. One day.
d. A week.
4. Which of these is true?
a. Brighton is the same size as London.
b. No resort in south-east England is bigger than Brighton.
c. Brighton is the biggest town in south-east England.
d. Brighton is the biggest town on the coast of England.

Answer these questions
1. What things does the text say can you do in Brighton?
2. What did Queen Victoria think about the King's house?

The Story of a Town

Brighton is the largest seaside resort in the south-east of England.
At first the town was a fishing village and did not become popular until about 1800. Rich people began to visit Brighton in large numbers and when King George IV decided to build a house there, it became very fashionable. The King continued to visit it until 1827, but Queen Victoria did not like the house.
It is open to the public every day and there is a special exhibition there in the summer.
Brighton offers all kinds of entertainment, from concerts and plays in the theatre to local attractions like the Aquarium.
The area of old houses known as The Lanes is a very attractive shopping centre, where visitors can buy souvenirs and antiques. The houses were once lived in by fishermen but have now been converted into shops. Not far from The Lanes is a modern shopping centre with licensed restaurants and tables outdoors where you can enjoy a drink in good weather.
Brighton is within easy reach of London and has been a popular day out for Londoners for many years.


Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?
1. Brighton began to be popular when King George IV arrived.
2. The town became popular because it was a fishing village.
3. You can visit King George’s house only in the summer
4. The fishermen’s cottages are shops now.

Choose the correct answer
1. What kind of buildings are in The Lanes?
a. New houses.
b. Old pubs.
c. Modern shops.
d. Converted houses.

2. What does the text say you can do near The Lanes in fine weather?
a. Buy antiques.
b. Buy souvenirs.
c. Go to concerts.
d. Sit outside for lunch.
3. How long do many people from London stay in Brighton?
a. A month.
b. A weekend.
c. One day.
d. A week.
4. Which of these is true?
a. Brighton is the same size as London.
b. No resort in south-east England is bigger than Brighton.
c. Brighton is the biggest town in south-east England.
d. Brighton is the biggest town on the coast of England.

Answer these questions
1. What things does the text say can you do in Brighton?
2. What did Queen Victoria think about the King's house?

The Mystery box

Click here for reading activity

The Mystery box

Click here for reading activity

Adjective or adverb

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Adjective or adverb

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Families and the Internet

Click here for cloze text

Families and the Internet

Click here for cloze text

Food vocabulary

Click here for quiz

Food vocabulary

Click here for quiz

Improve your writing

Improve your writing

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Improve your writing

Improve your writing

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Say, Speak, Talk or Tell

Choose the correct answer for each question.


1. Stop __________ and listen.
1. ? saying
2. ? talking
3. ? telling

2. Can you __________ me the time?
1. ? tell
2. ? say
3. ? talk

3. __________ louder; he's a little deaf.
1. ? Say
2. ? Tell
3. ? Speak

4.Shh! Don't __________ anything.
1. ? speak
2. ? tell
3. ? say

5. He never stops __________ .
1. ? talking
2. ? saying
3. ? telling

6. He __________ jokes well.
1. ? speaks
2. ? says
3. ? talks
4. ? tells

7. He wants to __________ at the meeting.
1. ? Tell
2. ? Say
3. ? Speak

8. __________ the truth.
1. ? Speak
2. ? Talk
3. ? Say
4. ? Tell

9. Can we __________ about this, please?
1. ? tell
2. ? say
3. ? talk

10. __________ me your name.
1. ? Talk
2. ? Say
3. ? Speak
4. ? Tell

11. I __________ 'Hello'.
1. ? talked
2. ? said
3. ? spoke
4. ? told

12. I need to __________ to you.
1. ? say
2. ? tell
3. ? talk


13. Don't __________ lies!
1. ? talk
2. ? tell
3. ? speak
4. ? say

14. __________ the boy a story.
1 ? Speak
2. ? Tell
3. ? Say

Say, Speak, Talk or Tell

Choose the correct answer for each question.


1. Stop __________ and listen.
1. ? saying
2. ? talking
3. ? telling

2. Can you __________ me the time?
1. ? tell
2. ? say
3. ? talk

3. __________ louder; he's a little deaf.
1. ? Say
2. ? Tell
3. ? Speak

4.Shh! Don't __________ anything.
1. ? speak
2. ? tell
3. ? say

5. He never stops __________ .
1. ? talking
2. ? saying
3. ? telling

6. He __________ jokes well.
1. ? speaks
2. ? says
3. ? talks
4. ? tells

7. He wants to __________ at the meeting.
1. ? Tell
2. ? Say
3. ? Speak

8. __________ the truth.
1. ? Speak
2. ? Talk
3. ? Say
4. ? Tell

9. Can we __________ about this, please?
1. ? tell
2. ? say
3. ? talk

10. __________ me your name.
1. ? Talk
2. ? Say
3. ? Speak
4. ? Tell

11. I __________ 'Hello'.
1. ? talked
2. ? said
3. ? spoke
4. ? told

12. I need to __________ to you.
1. ? say
2. ? tell
3. ? talk


13. Don't __________ lies!
1. ? talk
2. ? tell
3. ? speak
4. ? say

14. __________ the boy a story.
1 ? Speak
2. ? Tell
3. ? Say

American Models

RU online? Time spent online

Key
Question 1
a) False: While one might expect students (39%) or the unemployed (32%) to spend above average time on the web, the group that spends the highest proportion of their leisure time on the internet is housewives.
b) True: internet users had 17 online friends although the Chinese, the biggest web users, were less likely to actually meet any of these friends in person.
c) True : a lot of activities which we traditionally did in our spare time are now being done online. Over three quarters of us (76%) have used the internet for banking in the past month
d) True: Three quarters of us have used one of the many news sites (75%) in the last month ... more pleasurable activities such as using a chatroom (13%) are far less popular.

Question 2
a) TNS questioned over 27,000 people who use the internet. The results were categorised according to age group and to occupation and included the reasons for using the internet.
b) The text talks about doing things like carrying out bank transactions, making payments, looking up news and weather forecasts. We can do all these things at the same time and therefore save time.

Question 3
a) finding(s) b) throw up c) turnaround
Question 4
a) TNS, which is a global market information group, surveyed more than 27,000 internet users from 16 countries who were aged between 18 and 55.
b) The younger the user the more time was spent online.
Older people spend less time online than younger people/users.
c) The survey showed that a lot of activities which people had traditionally done in their spare time were now being done online.

RU online? Time spent online

Key
Question 1
a) False: While one might expect students (39%) or the unemployed (32%) to spend above average time on the web, the group that spends the highest proportion of their leisure time on the internet is housewives.
b) True: internet users had 17 online friends although the Chinese, the biggest web users, were less likely to actually meet any of these friends in person.
c) True : a lot of activities which we traditionally did in our spare time are now being done online. Over three quarters of us (76%) have used the internet for banking in the past month
d) True: Three quarters of us have used one of the many news sites (75%) in the last month ... more pleasurable activities such as using a chatroom (13%) are far less popular.

Question 2
a) TNS questioned over 27,000 people who use the internet. The results were categorised according to age group and to occupation and included the reasons for using the internet.
b) The text talks about doing things like carrying out bank transactions, making payments, looking up news and weather forecasts. We can do all these things at the same time and therefore save time.

Question 3
a) finding(s) b) throw up c) turnaround
Question 4
a) TNS, which is a global market information group, surveyed more than 27,000 internet users from 16 countries who were aged between 18 and 55.
b) The younger the user the more time was spent online.
Older people spend less time online than younger people/users.
c) The survey showed that a lot of activities which people had traditionally done in their spare time were now being done online.

The Difference Between Barack Obama and Gordon Brown

The Difference Between Barack Obama and Gordon Brown

Google tracks flu

Key

Question 1
a) True Americans falling ill searched for advice about flu online using its web facilities before they sought help from a doctor.
b) False. Traditional survey techniques employed by the CDC take about two weeks to precisely identify outbreaks
c) True A senior health expert from the United Nations told the BBC, Google Flu Trends would have to prove its reliability over time.
d) False nations where health authorities don't have a reliable database of infectious diseases.

Question 2
a) Google records instances of people typing in key words like ‘flu symptoms’ or ‘muscle aches’. It
highlights areas of the USA where there is a high number of these searches. This high number relates directly to the number of cases of flu in that area.

b) It says that you can go and have a flu injection to prevent catching flu.

Question 3
a) to come up with
b) to roll out
c) measures

Qestion 4
a) A new online tool has been launched to help track the spread of influenza.
b) Google said that they had found that there was a very close relationship between the frequency of search queries and the number of people who were experiencing flu symptoms each week.
c) When the web tool was tested, it showed (that) it can/could detect regional outbreaks up to ten days earlier.

Google tracks flu

Key

Question 1
a) True Americans falling ill searched for advice about flu online using its web facilities before they sought help from a doctor.
b) False. Traditional survey techniques employed by the CDC take about two weeks to precisely identify outbreaks
c) True A senior health expert from the United Nations told the BBC, Google Flu Trends would have to prove its reliability over time.
d) False nations where health authorities don't have a reliable database of infectious diseases.

Question 2
a) Google records instances of people typing in key words like ‘flu symptoms’ or ‘muscle aches’. It
highlights areas of the USA where there is a high number of these searches. This high number relates directly to the number of cases of flu in that area.

b) It says that you can go and have a flu injection to prevent catching flu.

Question 3
a) to come up with
b) to roll out
c) measures

Qestion 4
a) A new online tool has been launched to help track the spread of influenza.
b) Google said that they had found that there was a very close relationship between the frequency of search queries and the number of people who were experiencing flu symptoms each week.
c) When the web tool was tested, it showed (that) it can/could detect regional outbreaks up to ten days earlier.

The Gran Canyon walkway

Key

Question 1
a) TRUE “The walkway is said to be able to survive winds of more than 100mph”
FALSE “Mark Johnson, the architect, said the Skywalk could hold the weight of several hundred people.”
b) TRUE “the project has split the impoverished 2,200-strong Hualapai tribe”
c) TRUE “Havatone, 46, a tour guide and member of the tribe, said most of the Hualapai were opposed”

Question 2
a) The workers had nightmares because they were building the walkway in the land where her ancestors are buried and as a consequence they had been disturbed.
b) The walkway is a safe place because it has been built in such a way, with thick glass and shock absorbers, that it can resist severe weather conditions and even earthquakes.

Question 3
a) lure
b) split
c) claim

Question 4
a) The indian tribe is being given the walkway by David Jin.
b) They blend into the ground where our people died.
c) If it weren’t spiritual ground they wouldn’t be awakened.

The Gran Canyon walkway

Key

Question 1
a) TRUE “The walkway is said to be able to survive winds of more than 100mph”
FALSE “Mark Johnson, the architect, said the Skywalk could hold the weight of several hundred people.”
b) TRUE “the project has split the impoverished 2,200-strong Hualapai tribe”
c) TRUE “Havatone, 46, a tour guide and member of the tribe, said most of the Hualapai were opposed”

Question 2
a) The workers had nightmares because they were building the walkway in the land where her ancestors are buried and as a consequence they had been disturbed.
b) The walkway is a safe place because it has been built in such a way, with thick glass and shock absorbers, that it can resist severe weather conditions and even earthquakes.

Question 3
a) lure
b) split
c) claim

Question 4
a) The indian tribe is being given the walkway by David Jin.
b) They blend into the ground where our people died.
c) If it weren’t spiritual ground they wouldn’t be awakened.

E-mail and texts 'boost office romances'

Key
Question 1
a. True. “While 21 per cent said they had enjoyed only an emotional one”.
b. True. "Typing messages which appear on screen is easier than making a direct comment face to face,"
c. False. "But others in the study consider IT as a negative mode of communication and highlight the increased possibility of sexual harassment”.
d. True. "You have to think about what would happen if you broke up,"
Question 2
a. They see it as a way of keeping their relations in private so as they can avoid the difficulties of personal contacts.
b. She says that the more time we spend at work the easier it is to find partners among workmates.
Question 3
a. enabled
b. harassment
c. committing
Question 4
a. "Physical and emotional" intimacy had been experienced by 31 per cent.
b. If we didn’t work long hours we wouldn’t be tied to the office.
c. She claimed that that meant that may of them ended up finding their partners at work.

E-mail and texts 'boost office romances'

Key
Question 1
a. True. “While 21 per cent said they had enjoyed only an emotional one”.
b. True. "Typing messages which appear on screen is easier than making a direct comment face to face,"
c. False. "But others in the study consider IT as a negative mode of communication and highlight the increased possibility of sexual harassment”.
d. True. "You have to think about what would happen if you broke up,"
Question 2
a. They see it as a way of keeping their relations in private so as they can avoid the difficulties of personal contacts.
b. She says that the more time we spend at work the easier it is to find partners among workmates.
Question 3
a. enabled
b. harassment
c. committing
Question 4
a. "Physical and emotional" intimacy had been experienced by 31 per cent.
b. If we didn’t work long hours we wouldn’t be tied to the office.
c. She claimed that that meant that may of them ended up finding their partners at work.

Cashback

Key
1
a) False. Supermarkets in the UK now sell much more than food.
b) True. You can…pay bills….
c) False. ..the supermarket giant Tesco
d) True. ..the phrase ‘cashback’ has also been observed as an exclamation of joy or satisfaction

2 a) When people pay for the things they have bought using a debit card, they pay more and receive the difference between the cost of the things and the amount in money.
b) The shop has less money in the tills and has to take less money to the bank, which means that the bank charges them less.

3 a) chores
b) a discount
c) to cut out

4 a) Customers are given points and discounts when they use ‘ cashback ‘.
b) Tesco said that the system eased busy shoppers’ lives because they had to visit the bank less frequently.
c) If you own a loyalty card, you are given points and discounts.

Cashback

Key
1
a) False. Supermarkets in the UK now sell much more than food.
b) True. You can…pay bills….
c) False. ..the supermarket giant Tesco
d) True. ..the phrase ‘cashback’ has also been observed as an exclamation of joy or satisfaction

2 a) When people pay for the things they have bought using a debit card, they pay more and receive the difference between the cost of the things and the amount in money.
b) The shop has less money in the tills and has to take less money to the bank, which means that the bank charges them less.

3 a) chores
b) a discount
c) to cut out

4 a) Customers are given points and discounts when they use ‘ cashback ‘.
b) Tesco said that the system eased busy shoppers’ lives because they had to visit the bank less frequently.
c) If you own a loyalty card, you are given points and discounts.

The whale in the Amazon

Key

Question 1
a) True.” Local people had been splashing water on the whale's back and fin while it was exposed to the hot Amazon sun”
b) False.” While it is not unprecedented, it is unusual for whales to venture so far into fresh water.”
c) True. “The caiman … was taken to a local zoo for treatment for a broken leg.”
d) True. “The caiman, or yellow stomach alligator… This endangered species…”

Question 2
a) Experts think that the whale was originally part of a group but lost contact with the other whales and swam up the river as far as Santarem, on the Tapajos river, which runs into the Amazon.
b) The authorities had been looking for the alligator for a while and had closed Barra beach , although some people ignored the warning and still went into the water to swim.

Question 3
a) Shortly
b) upstream
c) to turn up/turned up

Question 4
a) The animal was thought to have become separated from its group and (have) swum upstream.
b) The fire service in Rio said, “It is the first time we have rescued one from the sea.”
c) Although they had closed Barra Beach, some swimmers insisted on entering the water.

The whale in the Amazon

Key

Question 1
a) True.” Local people had been splashing water on the whale's back and fin while it was exposed to the hot Amazon sun”
b) False.” While it is not unprecedented, it is unusual for whales to venture so far into fresh water.”
c) True. “The caiman … was taken to a local zoo for treatment for a broken leg.”
d) True. “The caiman, or yellow stomach alligator… This endangered species…”

Question 2
a) Experts think that the whale was originally part of a group but lost contact with the other whales and swam up the river as far as Santarem, on the Tapajos river, which runs into the Amazon.
b) The authorities had been looking for the alligator for a while and had closed Barra beach , although some people ignored the warning and still went into the water to swim.

Question 3
a) Shortly
b) upstream
c) to turn up/turned up

Question 4
a) The animal was thought to have become separated from its group and (have) swum upstream.
b) The fire service in Rio said, “It is the first time we have rescued one from the sea.”
c) Although they had closed Barra Beach, some swimmers insisted on entering the water.

Man trapped in toilet

Key
Question 1
a) False. A retired teacher survived on tap water after getting trapped in a freezing bowling club toilet with no food or mobile phone for four days. / Mr Leggat, who recently retired from Kemnay Academy,
b) True. Mr Leggat's ordeal began last Monday afternoon when he entered the bathroom and the inside handle to the door jammed
c) False. The bowler said he quickly realised he was in for a long wait as the club is rarely used in winter.
d) True. But he managed to walk up the road to his house.

Question 2
a) As he had done a survival course he used the hot water to keep himself warm
b) When he heard the cleaner he cried for help and she called the secretary who opened the door with the help of a screwdriver.

Question 3
a) Gents
b) Freed /to free
c) Ordeal

Question 4
a) Mr Leggat said that he had been lucky to get three hours’ sleep a night.
b) A screwdriver was used to open the door.
c) If David had been married his wife might have wondered where he was.

Man trapped in toilet

Key
Question 1
a) False. A retired teacher survived on tap water after getting trapped in a freezing bowling club toilet with no food or mobile phone for four days. / Mr Leggat, who recently retired from Kemnay Academy,
b) True. Mr Leggat's ordeal began last Monday afternoon when he entered the bathroom and the inside handle to the door jammed
c) False. The bowler said he quickly realised he was in for a long wait as the club is rarely used in winter.
d) True. But he managed to walk up the road to his house.

Question 2
a) As he had done a survival course he used the hot water to keep himself warm
b) When he heard the cleaner he cried for help and she called the secretary who opened the door with the help of a screwdriver.

Question 3
a) Gents
b) Freed /to free
c) Ordeal

Question 4
a) Mr Leggat said that he had been lucky to get three hours’ sleep a night.
b) A screwdriver was used to open the door.
c) If David had been married his wife might have wondered where he was.

Agatha Christie

Key

Question 1
a) False “..., critics such as the crime writer P D James pan her writing style and “cardboard cut-out” characters.”
b) True “she used a very limited vocabulary. “It means that readers aren’t distracted and so they concentrate more on the clues and the plots,”
c) True “Despite the grisly theme of her novels, researchers say that much of her vocabulary is pleasing and gentle.”
d) False “However, Mathew Prichard, Christie’s grandson, was sceptical of the research.”

Question 2
a) Researchers came to the conclusion that Agatha Christie used a certain number of words and phrases in all of her novels and that she didn’t use a great variety of vocabulary.
b) The constant repetition of words make us be hooked up to her novels since it stimulates our brain activity.

Question 3
a) leading
b) trigger
c) plot

Question 4
a) Three leading universities may have solved the The mystery of her enduring popularity.
b) Although the theme of her novels is grisly, researchers say that much of her vocabulary is pleasing and gentle.
c) Dr. Danielson said that it meant that readers weren’t distracted and so they concentrated more on the clues and the plots.

Agatha Christie

Key

Question 1
a) False “..., critics such as the crime writer P D James pan her writing style and “cardboard cut-out” characters.”
b) True “she used a very limited vocabulary. “It means that readers aren’t distracted and so they concentrate more on the clues and the plots,”
c) True “Despite the grisly theme of her novels, researchers say that much of her vocabulary is pleasing and gentle.”
d) False “However, Mathew Prichard, Christie’s grandson, was sceptical of the research.”

Question 2
a) Researchers came to the conclusion that Agatha Christie used a certain number of words and phrases in all of her novels and that she didn’t use a great variety of vocabulary.
b) The constant repetition of words make us be hooked up to her novels since it stimulates our brain activity.

Question 3
a) leading
b) trigger
c) plot

Question 4
a) Three leading universities may have solved the The mystery of her enduring popularity.
b) Although the theme of her novels is grisly, researchers say that much of her vocabulary is pleasing and gentle.
c) Dr. Danielson said that it meant that readers weren’t distracted and so they concentrated more on the clues and the plots.

Winston Churchill didn't really exist, say teens

Key
Question 1
a) True. The canvass of 3,000 under-twenties
b) True. Despite his celebrated military reputation, 47 per cent of respondents dismissed the 12th-century crusading English king Richard the Lionheart as fictional
c) False . Holmes, the detective, was so convincingly brought to life in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels, their film versions and television series, that 58 per cent of respondents believe that the sleuth really lived at 221B Baker Street.
d) False. More than three-quarters of those polled (77 per cent) admitted they did not read history books, and 61 per cent said that they changed channels rather than watch historical programmes on television

Question 2
a) The survey was ordered by UKTV Gold, and the results show that British teenagers do not have an accurate knowledge of history as they mix up which characters are real or fictional.
b) Films can be so convincing that they make people believe that what they see really happened

Question 3
a) canvass
b) featured/ feature
c) marked

Question 4
a) Although King Arthur was a mythical figure, almost two thirds of teens believed King Arthur.
b) Eleanor Rigby was believed to be /to have been a real person
c) He said that stories of Robin Hood were so inspiring that it was not surprising people believed those characters had truly existed.

Winston Churchill didn't really exist, say teens

Key
Question 1
a) True. The canvass of 3,000 under-twenties
b) True. Despite his celebrated military reputation, 47 per cent of respondents dismissed the 12th-century crusading English king Richard the Lionheart as fictional
c) False . Holmes, the detective, was so convincingly brought to life in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels, their film versions and television series, that 58 per cent of respondents believe that the sleuth really lived at 221B Baker Street.
d) False. More than three-quarters of those polled (77 per cent) admitted they did not read history books, and 61 per cent said that they changed channels rather than watch historical programmes on television

Question 2
a) The survey was ordered by UKTV Gold, and the results show that British teenagers do not have an accurate knowledge of history as they mix up which characters are real or fictional.
b) Films can be so convincing that they make people believe that what they see really happened

Question 3
a) canvass
b) featured/ feature
c) marked

Question 4
a) Although King Arthur was a mythical figure, almost two thirds of teens believed King Arthur.
b) Eleanor Rigby was believed to be /to have been a real person
c) He said that stories of Robin Hood were so inspiring that it was not surprising people believed those characters had truly existed.